Calcitriol

Generic name: Calcitriol (oral/injection)
Drug class: Vitamins

Usage of Calcitriol

Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D3. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from the stomach.

Calcitriol is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and metabolic bone disease in people who have chronic kidney failure and are not receiving dialysis.

Calcitriol is also used to treat calcium deficiency in people with hypoparathyroidism (underactive parathyroid glands) caused by surgery, disease, or other conditions.

Calcitriol is also used to treat calcium deficiency (hypocalcemia) and metabolic bone disease in people who are receiving dialysis.

Calcitriol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Calcitriol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Calcitriol may cause serious side effects. Stop using calcitriol and call your doctor at once if you have:

dehydration symptoms--feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin;

high calcium levels--nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, confusion, lack of energy, or tired feeling; or

low calcium level--muscle spasms or contractions, numbness or tingly feeling (around your mouth, or in your fingers and toes).

Calcitriol can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using calcitriol.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Calcitriol

You should not use calcitriol if:

you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your blood; or

you have had an allergic reaction to calcitriol or other forms of vitamin D.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies.

It is not known whether calcitriol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using calcitriol.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Relate drugs

How to use Calcitriol

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Calcitriol oral is taken by mouth.

Measure oral liquid carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Calcitriol injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Drink plenty of fluids unless your doctor has told you to restrict your fluid intake.

You may need to follow a special diet while using calcitriol. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian. Learn about the foods to eat or avoid to help control your condition.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking calcitriol. This can lead to very low blood pressure, a serious electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.

If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, your dose or testing needs may change. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your blood, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to calcitriol or other forms of vitamin D.

What other drugs will affect Calcitriol

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

cholestyramine;

digoxin, digitalis;

ketoconazole;

a diuretic or "water pill"--Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ, Diovan HCT, Hyzaar, Maxzide, Tenoretic, Zestoretic, and others;

seizure medicine--phenobarbital, phenytoin; or

steroid medicine--prednisone, Dexamethasone, fluticasone, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect calcitriol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.